So where are we with the Pyra--really?


You guys are confusing the Pyra forum for the Pyra. This forum is deader than before because of discord. Pyra is definitely not dead I just got mine. It's such a lovely device I don't believe it has any competition other than the Pandora (which is actually dead). Neither the hardware nor software are buggy. The only thing it lacks is suspend and hdmi out.
 
You guys are confusing the Pyra forum for the Pyra. This forum is deader than before because of discord. Pyra is definitely not dead I just got mine. It's such a lovely device I don't believe it has any competition other than the Pandora (which is actually dead). Neither the hardware nor software are buggy. The only thing it lacks is suspend and hdmi out.
Good to hear!
Discord is sadness.
Why?
 
Just a quick heads up here. I currently catched the flu, so was not able to do a lot of normal days work but found the time for some office and computer work. Updated the boards, resent out eMail to the latest persons where the Pyra should be ready (as the last batch didn't result in a single order for some reason...)

So yeah, where are we?

True, Discord is currently where most of the things happen and where I mostly am and am replying to all inquiries as well.
Softwarewise the Pyra has moved along, as you might've seen from others here, so here's an update to building and shipping units.

Askarus already mentioned he built a couple of units and prepared most cases as well. And these units are currently lying around, as no one I sent the mail to last year in October placed an order even sent a reply.

It could be of lost interest, a different eMail address, the eMail didn't arrive them, etc.
I don't know. The problem is: This slows down things as well. As we would need to keep the units backed until we receive any kind of reply.
That's why I now resent the emails, also adding the notice to inform us if they're no longer interested in the Pyra.

So it's also important to check the https://dragonbox.de/checkpyra Website in case you didn't receive an eMail - maybe you simply didn't receive it and your unit is ready, so this is a backup function.

It's always pretty random how many orders we still receive with each batch of eMails.
I guess at least 20 - 50% of the ones who preordered a Pyra don't complete the order. That also makes it almost impossible to tell how many are still in the queue.

Now, what's the status with the Pyra building itself?

Well, we were a bit depending on software as well. We had over 100 CPU boards that didn't boot because they reported a memory error - which wasn't true, but U-Boot reported that and refused to boot. After we finally received a new update we have only a couple of CPU boards (10 - 12) of the first batch, which is great.
We ordered PCBs for 550 Pyras with the first batch, so we still have a few to build and ship left.

What happens afterwards? Well, that's the question. We COULD simply continue to order the OMAP5 and build these units... but would that make sense?
hns and me were visiting the Electronica 2024 in Munich and checked out the new i.MX 9 series. Finally, they will have some SoCs again that don't need active cooling, so these would be interesting for use in the Pyra.

As my shop has grown quite a bit and made some money, I've got a good financial backing to be able to fund the redesign needed here.
Nothing is set in stone, and I'll surely need to contact all remaining preorderers as well to ask if they would be interested in that, but it's still a while until these new SoCs will be available anyways (and we still have units to build).

But it probably makes more sense compared to using the OMAP5 which still has some quirks no one could fix yet.

So, yeah, that's the current status. I've just sent a bunch of emails out today again, so check if you're included or use the CheckPyra page.
Otherwise, you can be sure I don't plan to abandon everyone. Everyone who asked for a refund yet has received one as well, we're not here to scam anyone but are of course thankful for everyone patiently waiting and supporting us as well :)

It has been anything but easy - and I can tell you that I definitely can feel that I'm getting older, I'm nowhere as productive as I was 15 years ago, where I could do everything at once with ease and work like I had multiple clones of me. Things are getting harder, but I will always stick to my word and won't run away :)
 
I guess at least 20 - 50% of the ones who preordered a Pyra don't complete the order.
What does that mean? How can someone preorder without completing the order?
Post automatically merged:

I guess at least 20 - 50% of the ones who preordered a Pyra don't complete the order.
What does that mean? How can someone preorder without completing the order?
 
Just a quick heads up here. I currently catched the flu, so was not able to do a lot of normal days work but found the time for some office and computer work. Updated the boards, resent out eMail to the latest persons where the Pyra should be ready (as the last batch didn't result in a single order for some reason...)

So yeah, where are we?

True, Discord is currently where most of the things happen and where I mostly am and am replying to all inquiries as well.
Softwarewise the Pyra has moved along, as you might've seen from others here, so here's an update to building and shipping units.

Askarus already mentioned he built a couple of units and prepared most cases as well. And these units are currently lying around, as no one I sent the mail to last year in October placed an order even sent a reply.

It could be of lost interest, a different eMail address, the eMail didn't arrive them, etc.
I don't know. The problem is: This slows down things as well. As we would need to keep the units backed until we receive any kind of reply.
That's why I now resent the emails, also adding the notice to inform us if they're no longer interested in the Pyra.

So it's also important to check the https://dragonbox.de/checkpyra Website in case you didn't receive an eMail - maybe you simply didn't receive it and your unit is ready, so this is a backup function.

It's always pretty random how many orders we still receive with each batch of eMails.
I guess at least 20 - 50% of the ones who preordered a Pyra don't complete the order. That also makes it almost impossible to tell how many are still in the queue.

Now, what's the status with the Pyra building itself?

Well, we were a bit depending on software as well. We had over 100 CPU boards that didn't boot because they reported a memory error - which wasn't true, but U-Boot reported that and refused to boot. After we finally received a new update we have only a couple of CPU boards (10 - 12) of the first batch, which is great.
We ordered PCBs for 550 Pyras with the first batch, so we still have a few to build and ship left.

What happens afterwards? Well, that's the question. We COULD simply continue to order the OMAP5 and build these units... but would that make sense?
hns and me were visiting the Electronica 2024 in Munich and checked out the new i.MX 9 series. Finally, they will have some SoCs again that don't need active cooling, so these would be interesting for use in the Pyra.

As my shop has grown quite a bit and made some money, I've got a good financial backing to be able to fund the redesign needed here.
Nothing is set in stone, and I'll surely need to contact all remaining preorderers as well to ask if they would be interested in that, but it's still a while until these new SoCs will be available anyways (and we still have units to build).

But it probably makes more sense compared to using the OMAP5 which still has some quirks no one could fix yet.

So, yeah, that's the current status. I've just sent a bunch of emails out today again, so check if you're included or use the CheckPyra page.
Otherwise, you can be sure I don't plan to abandon everyone. Everyone who asked for a refund yet has received one as well, we're not here to scam anyone but are of course thankful for everyone patiently waiting and supporting us as well :)

It has been anything but easy - and I can tell you that I definitely can feel that I'm getting older, I'm nowhere as productive as I was 15 years ago, where I could do everything at once with ease and work like I had multiple clones of me. Things are getting harder, but I will always stick to my word and won't run away :)
Just an idea: Maybe add a deadline to the E-Mails.
If people do not respond within a month, they move down the line and others will get a chance.
There is no need to let those people block us.
If someone does not have the funds currently to do the final purchase, they can still message us and we hold back the unit.
However, we need to move forwards and giving one months to reply (2 weeks should be enough anyways) is fair to everyone.

In the end, there is plenty of stuff in the office I have prepared. It should be no problem to get 100 Pyras done efficiently.
It does not make sense to let those rot.
 
What does that mean? How can someone preorder without completing the order?
Post automatically merged:


What does that mean? How can someone preorder without completing the order?
I would guess they preorder by giving some money and when the unit is ready they pay the full amount. Without doing so the Pyra is waiting for the order to complete.

So good to check your spam/junk mail folder at least once a month to. Or check the provided website.
 
As my shop has grown quite a bit and made some money, I've got a good financial backing to be able to fund the redesign needed here.
Nothing is set in stone, and I'll surely need to contact all remaining preorderers as well to ask if they would be interested in that, but it's still a while until these new SoCs will be available anyways (and we still have units to build).
Not sure what makes sense, but I'd happily pay extra for an upgrade.

I guess one problem is how there's so much time and money gone in, and for current and new Pyras going out, not much additional money coming back in - perhaps potential upgrades could be a much needed catalyst to getting the community fired up again.

Also can see that there's no simple way around the 50% non-answers - so much has changed for all of us over the years. But, I think there does need to be a way to get any units out there as quickly as possible - at least, if there's a way to get to the 50% that want theirs sooner somehow.

Oh, and thanks so much for your update - not great when you should be resting, but I for one very much appreciate your appearance here! (it's so much more civilized here than on discord imho.
 
Unfortunately, I sold my Pandora shortly after the news about the Pyra. Naively thought the Pyra would be available fairly soon thereafter.

So, many years without either one.

Is there any chance that I could get a Pyra in the not too distant future?

Thanks for any input.

Mark
 
Thanks for the update, ED. Very much appriciated.

I'd be interested in an updated CPU board, that'd make for an overall cleaner system. If board compatibility can be achieved, that is.
 
What happens afterwards? Well, that's the question. We COULD simply continue to order the OMAP5 and build these units... but would that make sense?
hns and me were visiting the Electronica 2024 in Munich and checked out the new i.MX 9 series. Finally, they will have some SoCs again that don't need active cooling, so these would be interesting for use in the Pyra.
Well, to be honest, this is a really big project. I'd expect a set of challenges, just elsewhere... Will need two month, ahem, two years to come close to what the OMAP5 already has :)
It has been anything but easy - and I can tell you that I definitely can feel that I'm getting older, I'm nowhere as productive as I was 15 years ago, where I could do everything at once with ease and work like I had multiple clones of me.
Me too, which is also a factor...
Things are getting harder, but I will always stick to my word and won't run away :)
BTW: making AESS is not forgotten but covered by a pile of other topics and projects.
 
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Well, to be honest, this is a really big project. I'd expect a set of challenges, just elsewhere... Will need two month, ahem, two years to come close to what the OMAP5 already has :)
ACK. Maybe if you start in 2 months, then the new PCB will be ready by the time the remaining OMAP5s Pyras are built, ordered and served.:)
The question is how profitable that effort would be.
But what iMX9 was it ? imx93 ? imx95 ? imx91 ? something else ?
FWIW: There was some recent attempt to upstream U-Boot and linux code for i.Mx95 (by Alice Guo from NXP)
But I guess it still needs blobs, like any current SOC, more or less.DRAM init, GPU, wifi, maybe ATF, etc.

Me too, which is also a factor...
BTW: making AESS is not forgotten but covered by a pile of other topics and projects.
Thanks for your efforts.
 
Just a quick heads up here. I currently catched the flu, so was not able to do a lot of normal days work but found the time for some office and computer work. Updated the boards, resent out eMail to the latest persons where the Pyra should be ready (as the last batch didn't result in a single order for some reason...)

So yeah, where are we?

True, Discord is currently where most of the things happen and where I mostly am and am replying to all inquiries as well.
Softwarewise the Pyra has moved along, as you might've seen from others here, so here's an update to building and shipping units.

Askarus already mentioned he built a couple of units and prepared most cases as well. And these units are currently lying around, as no one I sent the mail to last year in October placed an order even sent a reply.

It could be of lost interest, a different eMail address, the eMail didn't arrive them, etc.
I don't know. The problem is: This slows down things as well. As we would need to keep the units backed until we receive any kind of reply.
That's why I now resent the emails, also adding the notice to inform us if they're no longer interested in the Pyra.

So it's also important to check the https://dragonbox.de/checkpyra Website in case you didn't receive an eMail - maybe you simply didn't receive it and your unit is ready, so this is a backup function.

It's always pretty random how many orders we still receive with each batch of eMails.
I guess at least 20 - 50% of the ones who preordered a Pyra don't complete the order. That also makes it almost impossible to tell how many are still in the queue.

Now, what's the status with the Pyra building itself?

Well, we were a bit depending on software as well. We had over 100 CPU boards that didn't boot because they reported a memory error - which wasn't true, but U-Boot reported that and refused to boot. After we finally received a new update we have only a couple of CPU boards (10 - 12) of the first batch, which is great.
We ordered PCBs for 550 Pyras with the first batch, so we still have a few to build and ship left.

What happens afterwards? Well, that's the question. We COULD simply continue to order the OMAP5 and build these units... but would that make sense?
hns and me were visiting the Electronica 2024 in Munich and checked out the new i.MX 9 series. Finally, they will have some SoCs again that don't need active cooling, so these would be interesting for use in the Pyra.

As my shop has grown quite a bit and made some money, I've got a good financial backing to be able to fund the redesign needed here.
Nothing is set in stone, and I'll surely need to contact all remaining preorderers as well to ask if they would be interested in that, but it's still a while until these new SoCs will be available anyways (and we still have units to build).

But it probably makes more sense compared to using the OMAP5 which still has some quirks no one could fix yet.

So, yeah, that's the current status. I've just sent a bunch of emails out today again, so check if you're included or use the CheckPyra page.
Otherwise, you can be sure I don't plan to abandon everyone. Everyone who asked for a refund yet has received one as well, we're not here to scam anyone but are of course thankful for everyone patiently waiting and supporting us as well :)

It has been anything but easy - and I can tell you that I definitely can feel that I'm getting older, I'm nowhere as productive as I was 15 years ago, where I could do everything at once with ease and work like I had multiple clones of me. Things are getting harder, but I will always stick to my word and won't run away :)
Really appreciate the update ED! I hear you on feeling older...I remember how spry I was in 2012 when I ordered my Pyra compared to now, so I'm sure it's no easier for you on the assembly side.
 
Just an idea: Maybe add a deadline to the E-Mails.
If people do not respond within a month, they move down the line and others will get a chance.
There is no need to let those people block us.
If someone does not have the funds currently to do the final purchase, they can still message us and we hold back the unit.
However, we need to move forwards and giving one months to reply (2 weeks should be enough anyways) is fair to everyone.

In the end, there is plenty of stuff in the office I have prepared. It should be no problem to get 100 Pyras done efficiently.
It does not make sense to let those rot.
I agree with this. There is no point in letting pyras rot.
 
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